Wikipedia

Minnehaha Academy

Minnehaha Academy (often abbreviated MA) is a Christian private school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, for students in preschool through 12th grade, and established in 1913. There are two campuses, the South Campus for preschool through 8th graders, and the North Campus, for 9th through 12th graders. It is a ministry of the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and is located in the Cooper and Hiawatha neighborhoods on West River Parkway. The student body is drawn from Minneapolis, St. Paul, and throughout the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, as well as several international students.

Minnehaha Academy
Address
Map
Upper School
3100 West River Parkway
Middle and Lower School
4200 West River Parkway

Minneapolis
,
Minnesota
55406

United States
Coordinates44°56′45″N 93°12′20″W / 44.94583°N 93.20556°W / 44.94583; -93.20556
Information
TypePrivate, day
Motto"Where Youth Meets Truth"
Religious affiliation(s)Evangelical Covenant Church
Established1913
PresidentDonna M. Harris
PrincipalKaren Balmer (Lower School), Jason Wenschlag (Middle School), and Mike DiNardo (Upper School)
Faculty88
Enrollment832
Student to teacher ratio12
CampusesUrban
Color(s)Red, White, and Black
   
Athletics conferenceIndependent Metro Athletic Conference
MascotRedhawks
Websitewww.minnehahaacademy.net
North Campus
South Campus
The North Campus before it was destroyed by a 2017 gas explosion

History

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In 1884, Rev. Erik August Skogsbergh had a vision for education that inspired Minnehaha Academy. He believed in the importance of quality education with Christian faith as its center. The original incorporation from 1905 stated: “The purpose of this institution shall be to furnish young men and women with the essential elements of a liberal education, and to foster the development of character under the personal influence of Christian teachers.” In 1911, Rev. Skogsbergh and Andrew L. Skoog gathered a group of 11, called the Core of Collectors, who were to raise $100 each toward a new building on the campus. The goal was $25,000, and they exceeded that figure and broke ground on June 30, 1912. On Monday, Sept. 15, 1913, Minnehaha Academy welcomed its first class of high school students.

Since 1913, Minnehaha has been located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the banks of the Mississippi River. Minnehaha was a high school serving grades 9–12 until 1972, when grades 7 and 8 were added. In 1981, the South Campus was purchased from Breck School and a chapel was added.

The Middle School was established with the addition of grade 6. The Lower School, grades 1–5, started in 1982. Kindergarten was added in 1985, and then preschool in 1995. The following year, Minnehaha expanded to another campus in Bloomington for preschool through grade 5. The new Athletic Center at North Campus was dedicated in 2002, and the new Chapel and Fine Arts Center in 2003. Renovation of the South Campus (lower and middle school) was completed in 2008. In the Spring of 2011, Minnehaha Academy consolidated its Bloomington Lower School Campus with its Lower School in Minneapolis.

In February, 2017, the north campus of the Upper School had to close for three days as a result of a Norovirus outbreak.[1]

On Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at around 10:23 AM,[2] the west-central portion of the Upper School exploded from a natural gas leak while construction crews were working to move a gas meter. Two staff members died, and nine people were injured, one critically.[3] The high school opened in temporary quarters in Mendota Heights for the 2017–18 and 2018-19 school years. Demolition began in December 2017,[4] and reconstruction of the new structure on that same site was completed in time for the 2019-20 school year.[5]

Athletics

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Minnehaha Academy is a member of the Independent Metro Athletic Conference.[6] The school colors are red and white. Since 1990 the teams have been called the Redhawks, with the only exceptions being for some of the co-op teams.[7] The following MSHSL sanctioned sports are offered:[8]

Notable alumni

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Publications

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MA's yearbook is named "The Antler," with its middle school counterpart the "Minneantler." MA's school newspaper is "The Talon," referring to the foot of the fictional Redhawk mascot. It is a member of the High School National Ad Network. MA's quarterly news publication for parents and alumni is called "The Arrow."

References

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  1. ^ Smith, Mary Lynn (8 February 2017). "Widespread illness closes part of Minnehaha Academy". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Gas explosion rocks Minnehaha Academy; two dead, nine injured". Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  3. ^ NTSB: Workers were moving gas meter before Minnehaha Academy blast, MPR News, August 3, 2017.
  4. ^ "Demolition of blast-damaged Minnehaha Academy building begins". Twin Cities. 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  5. ^ Raghavendran, Beena (15 December 2017). "Staff takes a last look at old Minnehaha". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Prep Blog: 6 Metro Schools Form New Conference". 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  7. ^ Nordstrom, Gerald (2001). Where Youth Meets Truth: A History of Minnehaha Academy. pp. 176–177.
  8. ^ "Activity Page". www.mshsl.org. Archived from the original on 2017-08-25.
  9. ^ "Class 2A state baseball: Minnehaha Academy wins second straight title". Twin Cities. 2017-06-19. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  10. ^ Press, Sam Gordon | Special to the Pioneer (2017-03-18). "Boys basketball: Minnehaha Academy rolls to section title". Twin Cities. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  11. ^ "Minnehaha Academy wins state basketball championship after explosion". KARE. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  12. ^ "Fourth trip to state". Redhawks online. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  13. ^ "No more worries about football numbers for three-school co-op". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  14. ^ "Minnehaha Academy Athletics-Track and Field".
  15. ^ Biographical Memoirs V.83 ( 2003 ) / Homer Dupre Hagstrum. 2003. doi:10.17226/10830. ISBN 978-0-309-08699-8. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  16. ^ admin. "First Avenue strikes a chord locally". Redhawks online. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  17. ^ "Biographies of the Justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court". Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
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